Millmaster's home with rich history is hidden away in the heart of village

“We had been living in Wilsden, after a move from Cullingworth, for five years when my husband Bryan spotted an advert for the sale of Spring Mill House. We had to ask each other “where’s that?” so secluded is the house’s location even though it was on Main Street,” says Sue Andrews, who has lived in their Grade II Listed home for 19 years.

Originally constructed as an Elizabethan yeoman farmer-clothier’s house who had a textile warehouse which later became Spring Mill in 1832, little is left of the original structure of the house which was altered and partly rebuilt in the late 18th century when Spring Mill was one of four textile mills in the village and this house became the Millmaster’s dwelling. To the front it has very attractive Venetian windows with bold masonry surrounds.

“When we viewed the property we were pleasantly surprised by the extent of the gardens where there is ample parking at the rear of the house which has been very handy for the various cars, caravans and motor homes which we have had.”

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There is a free standing workshop complete with ramp and an integral garage which has doubled as a party room on many family occasions.

The property itself has been sympathetically updated to maintain a lot of its original character. “We have recently installed a new boiler and refurbished the downstairs cloakroom to a high standard.

“The kitchen is one of our favourite rooms and it was also my introduction to an Aga which at first was not going to stay (where were the controls?) but needless to say it is still chugging along and Bryan loves it’s simplicity.

“This room is one of the best in the house especially in winter. Our next favourite is the master bedroom with its cosy four-poster, ample wardrobes and sunny sitting area with a lovely view of the garden. There is also a nice sun-lounge at the rear of the property.”

The first floor of the property leads into a self sufficient one bedroomed annex with a separate entrance to ground level at the front. “It has been a great bonus for the girls’ teenage parties and various friends/relatives we have hosted over the 19 years we have lived here.

The bathrooom contains a three to four person sauna and Jacuzzi bath. The separate toilet has also recently been refurbished and a new independent boiler installed making the annex a good rental proposition.

Spring Mill House is set in large gardens and there are three ponds where the water falls from the top one down to the middle and into the largest pond (25ft), which is in a sunken garden, before disappearing underground to find it’s way into the beck lower down the village.

“It is also home to two wild ducks who return year after year to have their ducklings and it is delightful to see them taking their first ever swim.

“There is a large chalet with decking which has seen great service as a kid’s bunkhouse in summer and a place to relax and enjoy a barbecue.

Sue, Bryan and their daughters Zoe and Faye are grateful to have been custodians of this lovely property. “Now the girls are living their own lives we feel that another family should enjoy it and all that goes with it – the superb village school and regular bus service great local cosy pub, post office, butchers, bakers, hairdressers and superb church community with thriving village hall activities, squash and bowling club. “There’s also, new children’s play area with enclosed football pitch and all of this is within walking distance – what’s not to enjoy!”